Hit & Run Auto Accident Claims

It’s already tough enough being in an auto accident. You’re hurt, you have a busted up car, and life is harder than it needs to be. What makes it even worse is when the knucklehead who caused the accident flees the scene. What do you do then?

Obviously, the most important thing is your health and safety, and the health and safety of everyone involved. Check to make sure you’re taking care of that stuff first, then worry about the knucklehead.

After that, see if you can get any identifying info. Take a picture before s/he runs? Of the person, the car, the tag? Get any witness statements that you can. Don’t forget their names and contact info.

Of course, you want to call law enforcement if that’s not already done. Depending on the situation, they might be able to catch the person quickly, or at least track them down eventually.

What gets really frustrating is when the owner of the hit and run vehicle reports their vehicle stolen shortly after the accident. This often occurs when abysmally unscrupulous people try to avoid consequences for their negligence, hoping that someone will believe their tale. Sadly, it sometimes works. But if you get law enforcement involved, and you’re luckier than you have been so far, that theory can be sunk. Were the keys in the car? That’s prima facie evidence of permission to drive. Is the owner of the car mysteriously injured, kind of like they were just involved in an auto accident? Any witnesses?

Whether or not you can put the right person in the bad guy’s car can really affect your insurance coverage situation. Is this a liability claim, or did it just become an uninsured motorist claim? We’ll have to see…

Injury claims are hard enough to deal with. When you’re dealing with knuckleheads who lie, it only makes matters worse. Get an attorney to help. Get me to help.